Polestar Achieves 24.7% Emissions Cut Per Vehicle

Polestar, the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has reached a huge sustainability benchmark, lowering greenhouse emissions per vehicle sold by 24.7% since 2020. The feat, outlined in the firm's fourth Annual Sustainability Report, underscores its keenly targeted approach to embedding climate-responsible innovation throughout operations, even as it grows commercially.

The Swedish company, renowned for its focus on high-performance electric mobility, credits the reduction in emissions to a variety of measures such as greater use of low-carbon materials, better energy efficiency, and a sharp transition to renewable energy in manufacturing processes. The company's success proves that it is possible to scale up in the automotive industry without a proportional increase in environmental footprint.

Polestar CEO Michael Lohscheller reinforced this philosophy with, "Polestar has demonstrated that it is possible to decouple growth and climate footprint. Although a lot in the world appears to be going in the wrong direction, we are doubling down on our promises. When the world zigs, Polestar zags."

One of the biggest contributors to the reduction in emissions has been increased use of low-carbon steel and aluminium, which represent around 45% of the cradle-to-gate carbon footprint of the Polestar 2. The company has enhanced battery production processes and also currently uses 100% renewable electricity at all production sites. Polestar has also hugely augmented the use of biofuels across maritime logistics, lowering the carbon footprint of transporting vehicles.

At the heart of Polestar's long-term sustainability vision is the Polestar 0 project. Introduced in 2021, this program is intended to provide a genuinely climate-neutral car by 2040. Through this initiative, Polestar has worked with critical supply chain partners to chart a reduction journey for the Polestar 2, realizing a 10-tonne carbon saving opportunity. These results represent a positive step in creating low-emission technologies that can be scaled and transferred to future models.

The company is now transitioning into a research-driven phase of the Polestar 0 project with the formation of the Mission 0 House. Located in Gothenburg, this R&D center aggregates academic researchers and industrial engineers in order to advance new materials and manufacturing processes with low emissions. The center is not only being built to cater to Polestar's objectives but also to make an impact in the wider automobile industry by promoting the commercialization of sustainable technology.

In addition to decarbonization, Polestar is also breaking new ground on circularity and transparency. Its newest model, the Polestar 4, features 10% recycled content—a concrete step in the direction of minimizing the material extraction and waste environmental footprint. Polestar has also become a member of the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA), further expressing its commitment to responsible sourcing practices.

In support of traceability, Polestar has increased audit programs in risk areas of mining, such as where key minerals like cobalt, lithium, and now manganese are mined. These initiatives will help to verify that raw materials used in Polestar cars are not only low-carbon but also ethically and responsibly sourced.

By integrating sustainability into each level of its value chain, Polestar is making a strong statement to the market: green innovation is not a compromise but a strategic strength. Its fourth Annual Sustainability Report showcases how deliberate climate action can be compatible with business success, setting an example for others in the automotive industry and beyond.

As the world inches towards tighter green regulations and consumer call for sustainable goods mounts, Polestar's holistic strategy puts it at the vanguard of the sustainable mobility revolution. From actual emissions reductions to target-hitting carbon-neutrality ambitions and an increased commitment to circularity and transparency, Polestar is not just redefining electric mobility—but what it means to be a climate pioneer in the automotive sector.